In this podcast, the last of four on pathological gambling, I speak with Jody Bechtold, LCSW, NCGC-II, PC about the process for becoming a nationally certified gambling addictions counselor. Jody compares the national certification process with the process to be designated as 'competent' to treat pathological gambling in the state of Pennsylvania. If you are interested in becoming nationally certified, you might want to listen to the podcast a couple of times, as there are a number of steps in the process.
Download MP3 [27:53]

National Gambling Counselor Certification Board

This series on pathological gambling includes the following podcasts:

International Certification Examination for Gambling Counselors Passing score on the International Certification Examination for Gambling Counselors professional psychometric national certification examination from the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board; CGAC Recertification. Recertification occurs every two years. In this podcast, the last of four on pathological gambling, I speak with Jody Bechtold, LCSW, NCGC-II, PC about the process for becoming a nationally certified gambling addictions counselor. Jody compares the national certification process with the process to be designated as 'competent' to treat pathological gambling in the state of Pennsylvania.

1. What is Pathological Gambling? [11:43]
2. Treatment of Pathological Gambling [27:00]
3. Thinking Like a Pathological Gambler: Illusions of Control / Chance vs. Skill [8:54]
4. How to Become a Nationally Certified Gambling Addictions Counselor [27:53]

1. A certified gambling addiction counselor, using this certification as a basis, may develop treatment plans but shall not attempt to diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or advise a client with reference to problems or complaints falling outside the boundaries of gambling addiction practice. Alabama Certified Gambling Addiction Counselor.
2. The International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB) oversees the credential. IGCCB contracts with the National Council on Problem Gambling to administer this program. There are two levels of certification, ICGC-I and ICGC-II.

Update

• August 2007: Jody passed her exam and is officially a Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor (NCGC-1). Congratulations Jody.
• July 2007: Watch Jody on an investigative report about pathological gambling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on local news station WPXI.
• June, 2012: Journal of Social Work Education publishes Jody's article on graduate education and gambling:
• Engel, R.J., Bechtold, J., Kim, Y., & Mulvaney, E. (2012) Beating the odds: Preparing graduates to address gambling-related problems. Journal of Social Work Education, 48, 321-335. doi: 10.5175/JSWE.2012.201000128.

Resources

• Joanna Franklin, ncpgambling@aol.com

• Jim Pappas, ccgofpa@aol.com

Ohio Council on Problem Gambling: http://ohiocpg.org/

• Frank Harvey, OCPG@msn.com

National Testing Corporation for the NCGC exams: http://www.ptcny.com/clients/NGCCB/
The following is an example of costs associated with becoming a certified gambling counselor:

National Gambling Counselor Certification

Costs (average / minimum)Supervision from Ohio ($100 / call) = $200National Exam (NCGC-1) = $175 (NCPG member)National Membership = $75NCGC-1 Application = $17530 credits – training (avg $100ea) = $500 (unless free trainings)Total: = $1125

National Certified Gambling Counselor

APA (6th edition) reference for this podcast:
Singer, J. B. (Host). (2007, June 11). How to become a nationally certified gambling addictions counselor [Episode 20]. Social Work Podcast. Podcast retrieved Month Day, Year, from http://socialworkpodcast.com/2007/06/how-to-become-nationally-certified.html